Arctic Monkeys album reviews round-up: Fans are mixed on 'fascinating' Tranquility Base Hotel & Casino

The band's sixth record showcases a new sound to what fans are used to

It's the day Arctic Monkeys fans have been waiting for - five years on from AM, the Sheffield quartet's sixth record has arrived.

Tranquility Base Hotel + Casino has finally been dropped unleashing 11 brand new (largely) piano-based tracks boasting a brand new sound to what listeners are used to from the former indie rockers. It's a bold new step, with our review calling it "one giant leap" in an entertaining direction.

While critical reaction has been largely positive for their latest (a stream of "Four Out Of Five"s with some threes), fans are feeling much more mixed about Alex Turner's latest output despite many acknowledging that new avenues will be unlocked with each new listen.

Such is the way with anything that dares to be new, criticism is flying Tranquility Base's way. Many are deriding the fact they had to wait five years for an album that's so ostensibly different to what's come before with some frustrated that drummer Matt Helders appears to have been sidelined for "a jazz album."

Arctic Monkeys are currently playing live shows in the US ahead of a string of festival dates, including Primavera Sound in Barcelona, before heading to the UK for several dates including a homecoming show in Sheffield.

You can find a list of all the music Turner was inspired by while writing Tranquility Base here.